Royal belt

mid-20th century

The yet belt is part of the elaborate ceremonial costume worn by the king and both male and female members of the Kuba royal family. The number of objects suspended from the belt depends on the rank of the individual. Two types of pendants are used; rare shells traded inland from the Indian and Atlantic coasts, and miniature representations of over twelve types of objects and designs associated with the royal family. This belt has twenty-three objects; five shells, three hats, a ram's head and a double gong, all heavily decorated with glass beads and cowrie shells.